Xinjiang Security Funding Increased by 90 Percent

Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region government plans to increase its spending on public security by almost 90 percent this year compared to last year to further maintain social stability following last year’s July 5 riot in the regional capital of Urumqi, according to the government’s budget proposal released yesterday.

The regional government’s spending on public security will reach 2.89 billion yuan ($423 million) this year, up 87.9 percent over last year’s 1.54 billion yuan, according to the budget proposal handed over to deputies of the Xinjiang People’s Congress during a five-day annual conference that kicked off yesterday in Urumqi.

“The government decided to increase the spending on public security this year to enhance social stability in Xinjiang,” said Wan Haichuan, director of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region’s finance department.